Day 8

If the Black Sox are to regain their world crown they will need the help of their supporters and Brad Rona is just one of the men to lead that charge.
 

Rona was one of the players responsible for the side’s dramatic 10 innings win over the Australian Steelers. The game took 193 minutes – three hours 13 minutes - to complete and was the longest one of the tournament after eight days of competition.
 

“It’s my backyard,” Rona said. “The crowd is awesome. They just pick us up.”
 

Rona’s own performance helps. It was his hit over the left field fence that got the Black Sox back on equal footing after Jeff Goolagong had with two swings of his bat given his side a 2-0 advantage after four innings. Rona’s blow was timely as standing on second base was Tyson Byrne.  
 

Six innings later, and after been given an intentional walk by Australian pitcher Adam Folkard in the eighth inning, Rona again delivered. His hit to right field scored Tyron Bartorillo to tie the game up 4-4 and more importantly enough to make second base where he willed the crowd to get behind the team.
 

“I just try and drive the ball, that is what I try to do,” Rona said.
 

Rona then in a Buck Shelford like style charged his way home and at the same time brushing aside the Australian catcher Andrew Havercroft.
 

“He was in the way so I just had to run him over.”
 

Rona’s performance in the play-offs did not go unnoticed by his coach either.
 

“The bigger the game the better he gets, I saw him responding and getting the crowd up,” Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase said, “He is an experienced campaigner and good on him, he is enjoying his softball.”